Multiplex electric-arc lamp



' (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. H. MATHER.

A MULTIPLEX ELECTRIC ARC LAMP. No. 306,845. Patented Oct. 21, 1884.

Witnqgggs; Inventor,

N PETERS, Pllclo-Lilhogmpher. Washin ton, D. C.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2, R. H. MATHER.

MULTIPLEX ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

No. 306,845. Patented 001;. 21, 1884.

I I F1 "CL-Q o In ento-r,

Witnesse s:

ra fi Mam flw M 96 m m 03;, at W v N. PCTERS. Fholo-L'lhugruphc Illnirnio STATES RICHARD H. MATHER, OF

P'rnnr l FlCEO "WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT.

ivlULTlPLEX ELECTRlG-ARC LAM P.

iiil-ECIPICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 306,845, datedOctober 21, 1884.

Application filed December 5, 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, Riot-Linn H. MATHER, a citizen of the United States,residing in the town of Windsor, county of Hartford, and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElcctricArc Lamps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, whereby a person skilled in the art to which it appertainscan make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

My invention relates to that class of electric lamps in which two ormore sets of carbons are combined to operate successively in one lamp,and to afford a continuous light regardless, of the consumption of thecarbons, and without any manual interference.

The object of my invention is to so construct, combine, and Cl nnect theelements of a series of single lamps of the general character describedin Letters Patent of the United States No. 268,254, issued to meNovember 28, 1882, as to make a duplex or multiplex lamp which will burntill the several sets of carbons are successively consumed, and inparticular to accomplish this object by means ofa compound automaticswitch whose contact points are the carbons of the lamp.

My invention is not limited in its application to any specific form ofsuch single lamp, but is applicableto all electric lamps of the gen eralcharacter of my said electric lamp, patented as aforesaid.

I shall describe my present invention, in the form shown in thedrawings, as applied to an electric lamp and regulator thereof having acarbon-holder with a rod or tube which slides through a friction-clutchor spring-clamp, the latter being operated by a magnet in a shuntcircuitto produce feed, and by the recoil of a spring to separate the carbons.

The distinctive principle of iny inventionis conceived to consist in apeculiar construction and use of the feed-magnets of my improved lampbythe aid ofsupplementary coils adapted to re-enforce or neutralize, asthe case may be, the electromagnetic action of the shunt-coils of saidmagnets, together with appropriate connections so arranged that in alamp of more members than one the electric current shall automaticallycontrol and operate the several members thereof to produce the electriclight between the members of each set or pair of carbons in succession.

I proceed to point out the best mode in which I have contemplatedapplying the principle.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly invertical section, ofa duplex lamp embodying my invention as applied toan electric lamp oftwo members. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly invertical section, of a triplex lamp, or a lamp of three members,embodying my invention.

In Fig. l, A and B are two single electric'arc lamps supported in asuitable frame. These lamps are provided each with an automatic feedingdevice of the kind above mentioned, and indicated in the drawings, andare pecu liar in their construction only as hereinafter mentioned. Thesupporting springs, embraced in the feed mechanism or devices beforementioned, are of equal stiffness and clas ticity. A large wire, P,connected with either pole of the generatorl will say the positivepole-separates at any convenient point into two branches, av and I). Thebranch a proceeds to the magnet in lamp 1%, is wound about thecylindrical core thereof, and constitutes the coarse wire coil or helixa. Then,'leaving the said magnet, the same branch, a, passes as 0.directly to lamp A, where, by means of the binding post '10 and brush1), it is electrically connected with the carbon rod a. Thebranch wireI) proceeds to the magnetof lamp A, is wound about the core thereof, andconstitutes the coarse wire coil 1). After being so wound about saidcore the branch wire b, on leaving said magnet, passes as If directly tolamp -B, where it is electrically connected, through the binding-post wand the contact-brush, p, with the carbon-rod If. Likewise a coarsewire, N, from the other pole of the generator separates at anyconvenient point into two loranches, a and b, which are respectivelyconnected with the lower carbons, a and 12 Over the coil b in lamp A, ina direction to re-enl'orce or assist the electromagnetic action of b, iswound the fine-wire coil d, one end of which is connected, through theconnectingwire (1 and post w, with the coarse wire a and the other endof which is electrically connected with N through the fine wire (Z and,in like struck first in coming together at first, as above described,and prevents the light from dodg ing back and forth between the sets ofcarbons. This is a prime feature of my invention, for the principaldifticulty to be overcome when two or more single lamps or sets ofcarbons are combined to form a duplex or multiplex lamp is to cause oneof such sets, and illvitllitl'lly the same set, to operate first, and tocause another, and invariably the same other set, to operate next inorder, and so on in a fixed and predetermined order, and to bring thecarbons of each set together while the others are held apart. Otherwisethe light might appear in either member. and pass from member to memberindiscriminately. The illumination in lamp A continues, the carbons inlamp B are held apart in the. manner stated, and the upper carbon, a",is fed down gradually, is consumed, just as in my single lamp, patentedas above, until the feed in lamp A is arrested by means of the stop onthe can hon-rod a". Then, as the gradual consumption of the carbons inlamp A. continues, while feed no longer takes place, the voltaic arebetween a and a lengthens, and an increasing current is passed throughthe said shunt'coils by the way of the fine wires bel'ore mentioned. Asthe current through the shunt-coils increases, the shunt-coil covercomes and neutralizes the effect of the coarse wire coil a, andcauses the lamp B to feed until its carbons b" and b meet again inelectrical connecnection. Then the whole current which previously passedthrough the carbons a and a at once passes through the carbons I) and b,and the light in A goes out; at the same time the armature and feedmechanism of lamp B are left to be actuated by the current through theshunt-coil a, while 0 is at a minimum of etlicicncy by reason of theshort circuit through the carbons b" and If. The armature above istherefore released and the carbon-rod b and carbon 1) are lifted by thespring and spring clamp of the feed mechanism of this member. i

The carbons b and b are thereby separated, and the voltaic arc appearsbetween them. Lamp B now continues to act as a single lamp of the typebefore specified. It will of course be understood that the electriccurrent through c and d is never fully interrupted while this duplexlamp is in operation. From the foregoing explanation it will also beunderstood that the differential magnet in lamp B operatesdifferentially while-a current passes between (0* and a, and practicallyat no other time, and that the magnet in lamp A. operates as are-eni'orced magnet when a. current passes from I)" to b and practicallythen only.

In order to apply to a lamp of three elements or members the principlesof my invention whichhave already been shown in their application to a.duplex lamp, it is necessary to increase, modify, and connect. theelements in the manner shown in the drawings, Fig. 2, and as hereinafterexplained.

In Fi 2, A, B, and C are the magnets which severally actuate the feedmechanisms 01" the three members of such lamp, respectively. Each ofsaid magnets is wound with a fine wire or shunt coil and withtwoseparate coarse wire coils. In magnet A the two coarse wire coils band c, are wound and connected to-act as supplementary coils, adapted toreent'orce the action of the shunt-coil d in the same. In magnet B thecoarse wire coil a is a neutralizing or ditlcrential coil, and c is asupplementary or assisting coil, as related to the shunt-coil c in thesame magnet. In magnet 0 the two coarse wire coils a and I) are woundand connected to act as neutralizing coils, adapted to counteract theeffect of the shunt-coil f in the same. The three coils of each magnetmay be arranged in any order or position, or even on separate cores. Ineach magnet the shunt-coil is stronger than either of the remainingcoils of the same magnet, and all the coarse wire coils in the lamp areof practically equal streng h. All the coils or helices represented in Fg. 2 are of coarse wire, excepting the shunt-coils d, c, and f. Thethree latter are of line wire, and are connected as shunts about theirrespective carbons in the usual manner. In my triplex lamp a large wire,I, Fig. 2, connected with one pole of the generator, divides at anyconvenient point into three branches, a, b, and c, and'a correspondinglarge wire, N, from the other pole of the generatorseparates into threebranches, (0, I), and c, which are in any couvenicnt manner electricallyconnected with the three lower carbons of the triplex lamp, one branchwith each lower carbon.

The construction in other particulars and the remaining connections oithis lamp will be readily understood from the operation of the lamp, ashereinafter explained, from an inspection of the dra\vings, Fig. 2, andfrom the foregoing description of like connections and like features ofconstruction in my dupleX lamp.

It will be observed, in view of the construction and connectionsmentioned, that the carbou current of each member of my triplex lamp isconducted about the magnet of each preceding member oi the same lamp asasup plementary coil adapted to re-cnt'orce the shunt coil of each suchpreceding member, whereby to produce feed, and about the mag net in eachsucceeding member of the same lamp as a differential coil to neutralizethe shunt-coil ofeach such succeeding member, to prevent feed therein.

In Fig. 2 the connection of the wire a" and the carbon-rod c isindicated as immediate, instead of being represented as efi'ected bycontact-brush or other appropriate means; and for convenience theconnections Z) If, as well as a" c, are represented in the same manner.

Such being the construction of my triplex lamp, the mode of itsoperation is as follows: When no current passes through the lamp, thepositive and negative carbons of each set are separate, being held apartfrom each. other ITO Lit

by the springelamp, or other equivalent doricc belonging to the feedmechanism; bttt when a current is passed through the lamp, theconnections having been made as indicated, the electric current from 1,Fig. 2, passes in three branches, (Z, c, and f, to the magnets A, B, and(3, respectively. Tlhere it passes through the shunt-coils d c and f,sevorally, and then cc by the fine wires (2, c", andj, passes to N andthe generator. The el't'ect oi" the passage of such cu rrent from 1? toN through the shuntcoils, as described, is to draw down the armature inthe feed mechanism in each member of the lamp, whereby the carbons ineach member are caused to approach. each other until the carbons of eachset are in not ual contact. The circuit l. to N is then closed througheach pair of carbons. In the first member it is so closed through 1 a aof a a a c 'ct a N. In the second member it is so closed through 1 l) bb b It If b b l) h'; and in the third memberthrough I, c, c, c, 0", c,c, a", c, a, and N. Only a veryslight current then passes tln'ough theshunt-coils, tor the current is short cireuited through the carbons. Theeffect of the passage of the current from 1 to N in the triple courselast described is that in lamp A the electromagnetic action of d isre-cnt'orced by that of b and e. In magnet 13 the action of c isre-enl'orccd by that of c, and counteracted by that of a, while in magnet- 0 the effect off is opposed by that of a and I)", the combinedell'eet of which action and counteraction is that magnet A. is morestrongly energized to cause feed, in the man ner bel'ore described, thaneither of the other magnets 13 and C; while the magnet (Jis actuatedleast of all, and the magnet l3 exerts an intermediate degree of force ai'ecdingmagnet. The magnet (7 therefore no longer att racts or drawsdownward its armature w ith sufficient power to overcome or resist therctractile energy ot'the spring which is attached thereto. The carbonrod and tatrliion c are therefore drawn upward and away from the carbon0 by the action of the said spring and ot' the springclamp belongingthereto, whereby the carbons e" and 0 being separated, the currentthrough and between themisinterrupted, being shortcircuited through thebranch-wires a and I; and the corresponding carbons, a a and ZN). Thusthe whole current from P to N, except the insignificant part thereofwhich traverses the shunt-coils, is eattsed to pass between the carbons(Uc and the carbons b b The reason why the voltaie arc does not appearbetween c" and a" when they are first so separated lies in the fact thatthe current; is then short Gil" cuited through the remaining carbons, asjust explained. The interruption, in the manner stated, ol" the currentwhich proceeded by the course 1 c e c" c c a, do, leaves the magnets Aand I3 inoperative, so far as respccts their respective coils c and a,so that magnet A is for the time being practically reduccd thereby to amagnet of two coils, b and d, and magnet 1-3 to a magnet of two coils,rt

predicament, are caused to operate in the same way upon the sameprinciples and subject to the same explanation, and are productive ofthe same cl'l'ccts in this my triplex lamp as are the correspondingmagnets ot' the members A and B of my duplex lamp .herei nbel'orcexplained, after the carbt'ms-have been led to contact, in my saidduplex lamp. In short, the nmgnets Aand I then become l'orthe time beingthe magnets of a tfluplex lamp ol'the type above described andexplained, embracing the two membcrsot' my triplex latnp which containsaid magnets. And when, in the up eration of such praelieally-duplexlamp containing the magnets A and B, the carbons It" and e have beenfirst consumed andseparated, then the n'tagnets l3 and (l practicallyln-conn-. in turn and for the time being the magnets ol' duplex lamp ofthe same type, and operate in the same way as do the said magnets 01' myduplex lamp to l'eed the carbons to contact, to parate the samesuccessively, and to prod ace the electric light next between I) and andlinally' between a and c.

From the above it is obvious that in myimproved lampthe eat-bratsctulstitutc or furnish the contact-points in a compound automatic switchgoverning and coordinating the act ion of the several members of thelamp in the manner described.

The principles of my invention, which have now been shown in theirapplication to a duplex and to a triplex lamp, may be applied to amultiplex lamp of any' greater number of members, it'thut should becometltssirable, by simple extension and addition, without the intrtnluctionoli' any newprineiple.

There is no need of any switch-magnet in any particular n'lemberol' myimproved lamp; but it is desirableto have a switch-magnet or automaticcut-out in each such lamp consid; ered collectively, whichtmt-out maybeol'any ordinary construction and arrangement. in Fig. 2 such a cut-outis indicatct'l at S between N and the generator.

So far as concerns the present case I, disclaim all things which areclaimed. in my application No. 105,092,l'ora patentl'orimprovement inelectric lamps, tiled August 30, 16815; but now I claim as my inventionand desire to se cure by Leters .Patent- 1. An electric-arc lampcontaining two or more pairs or sets of carbons whose feed mechanismsare actuated by a series consisting of a corresponding number ofelcctrtrmagnets, the first magnet in said series being wound with ashunt'coil and with one or more supplementary coils, and the last magnetin said series being wound with a shunt-coil and with one or moredifferential coils, in which lamp each such set or pair of carbonsconstitutes a pair of Ill) contacts in a compound automatic switch regnlating such lamp and coordinating the functions thereof.

2. In an electric-arc lamp having two or more pairs or sets of carbonswhose feed mechanisms are actuated by a series consisting of acorresponding number of magnets, the first magnet in said series beingwound wit-h a shunt-coil and with one or more coil-s supplementarythereto, and the last magnet in said series being wound with ashunt-coil and with one or more differential coils, a compound automaticswitch whose contact-points severally coincide with the points of saidcarbons.

3. The feed mechanism of an electric-arc lamp, in combination with anelectro-magnet which is furnished with a spring-armature or itsequivalent and is wound lifierentiall y and supplementarily, withindependent coils or helices for operating the same, so that one or moreof said coils may be energized without the others, so that two or moreof said coils, the same being wound in one and the same direction, mayre-enforce or assist each other when traversed by the electric current,and so that two or more of said coils, the same being wound in differentdirections, may neutralize or counteract each other when energized,whereby the action of the said feed mechanism may be governed anddetermined by the number, direction, and electromagnetic energy of suchoi'thesaidcoilsasare forthe timebeingbrought into operation.

4-. An clectro'magnet wound differentially and supplementaril y withseveral independent coils or helices for operating the same, andfurnished with a springarmature or its equivalent, in combination with acarbon rod or holder, and intermediate feed mechanism of an electricarclam p,whereby the carbon which carried by such rod or holder may beraised, lowered, or held up according to the number, direction, andelectromagnetic energy of such oi" the said coils as are for the timebeing brought into operation.

5. In an electric lamp, a pair or set of carbons, a carbon rod orholder, and a magnet wound with independent supplementary coils, incombination with intermediate feed mechanism, whereby said carbons maybe made to approach, recede, or stay apart, according to the number andelectro-magnetic energy of the coils of such magnet which are for thetime being traversed by the electric current.

6. In an electric lamp containing two or more pairs or sets of carbons,a series consisting of a corresponding number of electromagnets, thefirst magnet in said series being wound with a shunt-coil and one ormore coils supplementary thereto, and the last magnet in said seriesheing wound with a shunt-coil and with one or more coils differentialthereto, in combination with spring armatures which are actuatedsimilarly or dissimilarly thereby, according to the course pursued forthe time being by an electric current in passing through said magnets.

7. In an electric-arc lamp containing two or more pairs or sets ofcarbons, a series consisting of a corresponding number ofsupplementarily and differentially wound electro-magnets, in combinationwith armatures of said magnets actuated thereby to produce similar ordissimilar motion or rest in said armatures, according to the coursepursued for the time being by an electric current energizing saidmagnets.

5. In an electric lamp containing two or more pairs or sets of carbons,a corresponding number of inter-connected electro-magnets wound withindependent coils, in combination with teed mechanisms actuated thereby,whereby the action of such feed mechanisms is governed auddetermined by the course pursued byan electric current energizing saidmagnets.

9. In an electric-arc lamp containing two or more pairs or sets ofcarbons, a series consisting of a corresponding number ofelectromagnets, the first magnet in said series being wound with ashunt-coil and with one or more coils supplementary thereto, and thelast magnet in said series being wound with a shunt-coil, and with oneor more coils diflerential there to, in combination with a correspondingnumber of carbon-supporting rods and intermediate feed mechanismsactuated by said magnets, whereby said carbon-supporting rods may beindependently raised, lowered, or held in position. according to thenumber, direction, and strength of the currents energizing said magnets.

10. In an electric lamp, two or more pairs or sets of carbons, and acorresponding number of differential and supplementary magnets, incombination with intermediate mechanisms actuated by said magnets toimpart to said sets of carbons independent separating and feedingmovements, whereby the electric light may be established between themembers of one of said pairs or sets at atime,while the members of theremaining pair or pairs are held apart.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ltlCl-IARD ll. MATHER. 'Witnesses:

GEORGE C; Mclinn, HENRY It. PRATT.

IIO

